INT’L WOMEN’S DAY
LOCAL SPORTS
2012 Spring Sports Preview
A peaceful celebration held at U.S./Canadian Border See page A7
PAGE B1-B8
SERVING WASHINGTON’S
OKANOGAN VALLEY
SINCE 1905
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Oroville Chamber learns about saving energy, money REAP Grants available for businesses, farms BY GARY A. DEVON MANAGING EDITOR
OROVILLE – David Boyd told Oroville Chamber of Commerce members that they may be eligible for grants and utility incentives to replace old equipment, reduce energy costs and even generate power on-site. Boyd is working with Washington State University helping small business owners and agriculture producers through a public/private partnership to write REAP (Rural Energy for America Program) grants through the state Department of Commerce. The project is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “For example if you have a restaurant and you need a new cooler because it is leaking, then we would fund 25 percent of the project,” said Boyd. “There are a lot of
funding sources out there that can really shrink the cost of doing a project. If you’re having problems finding these sources we’ll help you.” Boyd said the projects must be at least $6000 and use existing and proven offthe-shelf technology. Someone from Rural Energy Development for Washington will visit the site to determine if the project will benefit from a grant. The program can also help on a one-to-one basis to discover what federal, state or local help is available for the project, according to Boyd. He gave an example of one business that replaced older florescent lighting with new, more energy efficient models and saved the business $5000 a year in energy costs. “The local PUD paid half the cost, if she went for a REAP grant it could have saved her an additional 25 percent. The business owner used her yearly savings and a grant to buy a solar array which helped to generate about $10,000 a year and shrunk payback on the project to three years,” he said.
Cravy, Braman resign
He was also cautionary about making sure energy producing projects fit the area, describing one instance where a homeowner decided to put up a wind turbine without doing the proper research. The homeowner’s project cost over $50,000. “He thought he would power his whole house and there wasn’t enough power generated to even pay for itself. In this area, something like solar would work well because of all the sunshine you get, especially considering Germany is now the largest solar producer and they do not get nearly the sunshine you do here,” Boyd said. Boyd added the reasons for doing projects aren’t just because saving energy is the latest thing, but that it can save money for small businesses and farms leading to bigger profits. Jim Newton, owner of FB’s Family Diner where last Thursday’s chamber meeting took place, said he was looking into using used fry oil as a source of heating fuel. Boyd said that part of the project might be fundable if it used existing technology and
that he should contact him to discuss the project further. Boyd distributed a handout from the state Department of Commerce titled “Get Paid to Save Money!” It said that the Rural Energy Development for Washington Program’s Sustainable Energy for Economic Development can help if: You are a small business or agricultural producer. You’d like to do a renewable energy or efficiency project. You want to invest in on-site power generation to increase your profitability. You need to upgrade your heating, cooling or lighting. You have old or broken equipment that needs replacing. You need a set of expert eyes to help you figure out how to make your project work. Debbie Peters, one of the energy services coordinators with Okanogan County PUD also was on hand to discuss programs the local utility offers. She said the PUD partners with other organizations
NVH District requests input
SIGN OF CHANGE
Elementary principal cites personal reasons and basketball coach says he lacked support
SUBMITTED BY TERRI ORFORD BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
TONASKET The North Valley Hospital District sent out 2,000 surveys to households in the district last week to solicit community input on health care needs in the district. The hospital district is conducting the survey to help plan for the future health care services at the hospital. Survey responses will help the Board of Commissioners determine the types of care and services that fit the health needs of North Valley residents. North Valley Hospital District Board Chair Helen Casey encourages all residents to return their surveys right away. “The surveys take only about 10 minutes of your time but each question is important,” Casey said. “The time that people invest in completing the survey will help us create a community-centered plan for our future. The community’s input is invaluable.” Residents who do not receive a mailed copy of the survey are invited to take the survey online. The survey can be found at https://www. surveymonkey.com/s/NValleyHospitalDist. Surveys are due on March 20. North Valley Hospital District selected Community Link Consulting, an independent health care consulting firm as their partner to administer the survey. Community Link Consulting will compile the data and present the report to the NVHD Board of Commissioners at a planning meeting at the end of the month. The Board of Commissioners is committed to providing quality health care to the all residents of the North Valley.
BY BRENT BAKER BBAKER@GAZETTE-TRIBUNE.COM
TONASKET - Resignations by Tonasket Elementary School principal Jeff Cravy and high school varsity basketball coach Glenn Braman were accepted by the Tonasket School Board at its meeting on Monday, March 12. Cravy cited personal reasons for his decision, which is effective at the end of the school year. “It is with a heavy heart that I turn in my letter of resignation (after seven years at the district),” Cravy said in his resignation letter. “The district has provided me with many opportunities to grow and learn as a principal. “Due to our current family situation and to pursue other career advancement experiences, I will be leaving
“The district has provided me with many opportunities to grow and learn as a principal. ” Jeff Cravy, TES Principal
the school district at the end of my current contract. I will continue to provide the highest quality of leadership at the elementary school throughout this school year and will leave the school in great shape for the next principal to take over.” Braman said in his resignation statement that a lack of support had made for an untenable coaching situation. “Several issues affecting my areas of responsibility have influenced me to conclude I am in an unsupported and undesirable situation,” Braman wrote. “I have made several efforts to resolve these issues but I have not been able to achieve this goal ... “With a young family at home, I need to step back from the situation and look at what really matters. Though it would be my choice to continue coaching this assignment, I feel I can’t be the successful coach I desire to be in the current situation…. Thank you for the experience. I wish everyone continued success.”
like the Okanogan County Conservation Service to help to fund projects, especially with farmers. She told the chamber the PUD had an interest free loan program for up to $25,000 for energy saving projects that only required monthly payments and a small administration fee. “There are a variety of programs we are involved in. We participate with the BPA, we can also run custom projects by the BPA. We partner with Conservation to do irrigation and agricultural projects,” Peters said. Kirstin Cook with the Okanogan County Conservation Service said that technically the service is a branch of local government, but is non-regulatory. “We do things like fund new nozzles, fix pipes, new gearing. Most of our programs are focused on landowners and livestock,” said Cook. More information on the REAP Grants can be found at www.nwseed.org/ruralrenewables.asp where there is a webinar. Boyd can be contacted at (360) 725-5038 or at david.boyd@commerce.wa.gov.
Photos by Clyde Andrews
The neon Old Peerless Restaurant sign came down last week marking the end of an era as the “Peerless” name is likely to be retired by Rancho Chico, the new owners of the building. Ken Neal, former owner of the restaurant, said a group of volunteers helped him remove the neon sign he purchased for the Peerless a few years back and a crew from Okanogan County PUD stood by to make sure the sign cleared power cables running parallel to the street. Neal added that a special crate had to be constructed for the sign to ensure the outer circle of neon was not damaged as it was lowered to the ground.
Roley appointed to county Board of Health BY GARY A. DEVON MANAGING EDITOR
OROVILLE – Oroville Councilwoman Neysa Roley was appointed to the Okanogan County Board of Health by Mayor Chuck Spieth at the council’s Tuesday, March 6 meeting. The six-member county Board of Health is comprised of the three county commissioners and three representatives from the various municipalities in the county. The board meets once a month to review public health issues of county-wide significance, according
OKANOGAN VALLEY GAZETTE-TRIBUNE Volume 106 No. 11
to Oroville City Clerk Kathy Jones. “These municipal members can either be a mayor, on the city council or the city clerk,” said Jones, adding that the north end of the county had been without representation since the resignation of former Oroville Councilman Ryan Milligan. Roley, who works in the health field, said she would be interested in serving on the board and was appointed by Mayor Spieth with no objection from the rest of the city council. Oroville Ambulance Coordinator Debra Donoghue said the EMT classes she was
teaching were going well. “I have a bunch of smart, willing students and we are going to get some great EMTs,” Donoghue said. Councilwoman Roley, who is taking the classes said, “I’d like to let the council know what an excellent instructor Debra is... she does an excellent job.” On a related issue, the council accepted the resignation of Christina Rise from the ambulance crew. “It is with a heavy heart that I resign. I have enjoyed my time on the crew and want to thank you for letting me serve my community,” wrote Rise. The council approved Oroville High School student Katriona “Kat” Lindstrand’s nomination for submittal to the Association of Washington Cities Quality Communities Scholarship. Lindstrand, a senior at OHS, was responsible for planting various plants and flowers along the new section of side-
INSIDE THIS EDITION
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walk on the south end of town. Lindstrand, who began her senior year in the fall, began the project last summer and plans on continuing it this spring. Inotherbusiness,RodNoel,Superintendent of Public Works, said that he had finally got notification from Perry Huston regarding repairs the city did to the Eastlake Sewer so that a customer could connect to the line. A stub that is supposed to be connected to the main line was not connected by the contractor that built the sewer line for the county. The city feels that the county should pay for the $6000 in repairs. “He said that the prosecuting attorney was looking the bill,” Noel said. Police Chief Clay Warnstaff reported that he did not have any additional information regarding the collective medical marijuana grows and dispensaries. He added that he had not heard anything from the public at large on the issue.
Community A2-3 Letters & Opinions A4 Movies A5
Valley Life A5-6 Bulletin Board A6 Obits A7
Classified/Legals A8-A9 Outdoors A10 Spring Sports B1-B8